Help mounting new winch

m_daugherty · #1 03-23-2007, 02:37 PM

OK I just got a new to me ramsey 8000 winch and it came with a reciever hitch mount already on it.(Not bad for $300 IMO) Problem is my TJ still has the stock bumper, the way I figure it I can 1) build or buy a reciever hitch to go on the front of my jeep and leave the stock bumper 2) build a new front bumper with an integrated reciever hitch 3) sell the reciever mount that came with the winch and buy/build a winch mounting plate or new bumper to permenantly mount the winch on the front. Well what does everyone think which would be the best, portable front/rear mount or permenant front mount? Has anyone used a reciever mount and how did you like it. I just want some opinions of someone more experienced with a winch than I am!

Thanks,
Micah

Jim_Lou · #2 03-23-2007, 03:11 PM

My instinct is that an 8K# winch is too much for a reciever hitch mount. I would go for a permanent mount in front of the grill or in the bed behind the seats. If you put it in front nou probably don't need a new bumper; you can just move the stock bumper forward as necessary and build its mounts into the winch mount. I can post a drawing of my Ramsey mount to my CJ if you think it would help.

thorjeep · #3 03-23-2007, 03:53 PM

I have a 9500i receiver mount, it works great, but has pros and cons:

PRO:
Having a receiver in front is great, wonderful for moving boats and trailers into tight spots.
I can put my winch in the rear receiver. Or on a buddies rear receiver, and attach the power via clips to his battery (Watch the heat though, not for long use) and I don't have to get my jeep near his! Plus many times, you need to be winched backwards

My winch sees no weather.
My winch is safe in the garage, away from greedy hands about town.
As long as the bumper is strong, and quality, you should have no problems.
Since the connection on the front bumper to the battery, and the connection to my jumper cables is genderless, I can jump start someone, without opening the hood!

CON:
Clearance! Check my pic in the new post, my winch hangs way out there affecting my take-off angle.
If i stow it in the Jeep, I can't be ready for the "Emergency situations"!
It is pretty heavy to schlep around!

I am usually wheeling with buddies who have winches that can get me in a emergency situation, where shifting weight around in the jeep is not a good idea. They like it that they won't have to run a line under their jeep to get out backwards, if they get in the rough.

Just take those into consideration, and also realize most people just mount it on top of the front bumper.

Rio_Grande · #4 03-23-2007, 05:11 PM

Since this board is all about opinions here is mine, Sell that reciever mount and build or buy a permanate mount in front of the grill. Before steel prices went crazy I was selling them for 40.00 all you had to do is bolt them in. Probably pay around 80.00 now days, but you can upgrade your bumper with a built in winch plate for around 200.00. Regardless the closer that winch sits to the frame the less likely you are to rip it off. As for prying eyes, when I built bumpers I recessed the front bolts into the tube of the bumper. Yes pain in he rear to initally install, but unless you know exactly how to take the bolts out, you will be there for quite a while messing with it.

Remember the forces being applied to that mount and engineere it to be as strong as you can.

jeepjunky · #5 03-23-2007, 09:24 PM

A buddy of mine has several jeeps and one winch. He loves the recever mount! Personally I would mount it to a custom bumper. they are easy to make if you know how to weld. The last front bumper I built I put a recever hich in it for a tow point. its real easy to put a hook into it. Also I was going to mount a blue rock thrower to a recever for the front bumper.
Good Luck

DuneCountry · #6 03-24-2007, 09:37 AM

I have a receiver mount and love it.

I used a 1/2" X8x3 piece of angle iron laid across the top of the frame rails, welded some 1/4" plate to the ends of the angle then bolted it all down, I then shortened a receiver a short as possible and still insert a locking pin and welded that to the top. The fairlead sticks out 2-4" past the bumper and it is still away from the radiator so not to interfere with cooling.

For power I mounted a warn quick connect to the front frame rail and also have 20' of dual battery cable with a pair of jumper clamps on .This way I can jump another rig off of the jeep or remove the winch to use on my pickups rear receiver using the jumper to it's battery.I also have receivers mounted to my backhoe bucket (great for lifting motors etc.)and even my sand rail.

n0nka · #7 03-25-2007, 01:58 PM

I've always planned to do a receiver mount, (once I can afford a winch) I really appreciate the pro's and con's listed above. Thanks ThorJeep

Dunecountry, I like the idea. Can you post a picture? I'm not quite getting a visual.

m_daugherty, looks like the guys are giving you plenty to think about. I'm still planning to build my own bumpers, but now I'm considering an extra receiver, recessed above the bumper, just for the winch.

Thanks for posting this thread.

DuneCountry · #8 03-26-2007, 06:48 PM

Here are some pictures,I built this last year, yup I live on the coast!!

m_daugherty · #9 03-27-2007, 06:42 PM

I really appreciate everyone's response. Not real sure what I want to do I just had an offer to buy my jeep from a friend of mine that is a dealer he can't get a TJ all he can get is the new JK's and he wants me to trade for a JK. I can step up from my sport softop TJ to a Rubicon hardtop JK for less than $50 a month just not sure if I like that engine and I know I'll miss my TJ, gonna post and get everyones opinion on the JK Rubi.

thorjeep · #10 03-27-2007, 07:38 PM

I don't know anyone with a new JK, but.. Say an extra $2400 (12x4x50) for a hardtop and Rubi? I say that is a pretty good deal. With the lockers, heavier components, and a 4:1 TC! More room, and no more Limited Slip!

However it is wider, just pick your lines a little more carefully!